Sideline Pass is thrilled to partner with basketball legend Nancy Lieberman in order to now award a $10,000 college scholarship to a deserving female student-athlete from New Orleans. Sideline Pass’ first recipient of this scholarship is Cohen High School senior India Morris, who traveled to Dallas in mid-February to accept her scholarship at Nancy Lieberman’s Dream Ball Gala.
India, a National Honor Society member, is also #1 in her graduating class, a two-year letterman on Cohen’s cross-country team and a four-year starter for the girls’ basketball team. India plans to study psychology and hopes to eventually become a neuropsychologist.
“I want to go back into my community and help change the negative images and stereotypes that are portrayed there,” India says. “Mental health issues are something that often go unaddressed in communities of color and lead to many of the problems we see in cities such as New Orleans. I want to give kids here a chance to flourish into successful and well-rounded individuals.”
New Orleans Pelicans fans will recognize Nancy Lieberman as the popular analyst on Fox Sports New Orleans’ pre and post game shows. Nancy set records as a player at Old Dominion University, won gold medals as a premier point guard for Team USA and excelled in the national broadcast booth as a basketball analyst. This girl boss has coached in the G League, WNBA, Big 3 and NBA. (Yes, that means she’s successfully led professional women and MEN!) Nancy exemplifies the concept of shattering glass ceilings – many of them, not just one. First, Nancy was the youngest basketball player in Olympic history to medal when the U.S. captured silver at the 1976 Games in Montreal. Later, Nancy became the oldest player in the WNBA at age 39, then again at 50. Now, Nancy is the reigning BIG 3 Coach of the Year, after leading her all-male team to the championship title.
Nancy is also a fervent philanthropist, intent on sending the ladder back down. She lives in Dallas and spearheads Nancy Lieberman Charities, a group dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles and educational opportunities for children. Nancy’s foundation normally awards ten, $10,000 college scholarships to worthy student athletes from Texas, but as of 2019, Nancy decided to partner with Sideline Pass to direct one of those generous scholarships to a New Orleans recipient.
“We chose to include someone from New Orleans because of the relationship I’ve built with the Pelicans and their fans the past 2 years,” Nancy says. “I’m proud to be Sideline Pass’ sister in giving others an opportunity to change their lives. We’ve seen what Sideline Pass does, how many opportunities it gives to young women. We hope we can be an asset in helping Sideline Pass positively affect New Orleans.”
Sideline Pass is honored and privileged to partner with Nancy Lieberman Charities and especially Nancy herself, a women who exemplifies girl power in every facet!!
For more information about Nancy Leiberman Charities visit http://nancyliebermancharities.org/
